Kyoto

Travel Guide
Kyōto featuring landscape views, a garden and forest scenes

Kyoto Travel Guide Video

Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony, feed wild monkeys and explore World Heritage-listed temples and shrines in this historically rich Japanese city.

Kyoto, on the Japanese island of Honshu, has been a hub of religious activity and political power since the eighth century. It was once the capital of Japan and retains many of the temples and palaces built within this period. Step back in time to imperial Japan as you explore the city’s many World Heritage Sites such as the Kiyomizu Temple. Kyoto is also renowned for its landscaped gardens, many of which are based on designs dating back hundreds of years.

The wealth of cultural history in Kyoto can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start. Take the Philosopher’s Walk to orient yourself around some of Kyoto’s historic sights, such as the Eikando Temple. The walk takes in three major temples as well as several smaller temples and shrines, boutique shopping areas and restaurants where you can sample the traditional Japanese multicourse dinner, kaiseki. Cherry blossoms line the walk during spring, and in the fall, the area comes alive with the brilliant reds of maple trees.

Central Kyoto offers a combination of modern and traditional delights. Ride up the Kyoto Tower for a 360-degree view over the city from 330 feet (100 meters) up. Explore the Nishiki Market, lined with restaurants, and fresh produce and street food stalls. See giant salamanders and local river fish at the Kyoto Aquarium.

At one of the regular festivals held in the city, taste some of the food brought to Kyoto from all over Japan to please the Emperor, watch traditional crafts being made, take a lesson in saké brewing and experience the culture of Japan.

Lovers of Japanese literature will enjoy the 17th-century Katsura Imperial Villa, built to resemble the fictional setting of the 11th-century novel The Tale of Genji.

Tourism is a large part of Kyoto’s economy and there are some unique attractions such as hand feeding wild snow monkeys at Arashiyama Monkey Park. Kyoto has a welcoming atmosphere, incredible natural beauty and layered history.

Where to stay in Kyoto

Nijo Castle showing a park and a pond

Central Kyoto

4.5/5(1,806 area reviews)

Central Kyoto is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street. See more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Nijojo-mae Station or Karasuma Oike Station.

Central Kyoto
Gion which includes cycling, street scenes and night scenes

Gion

5/5(208 area reviews)

Unique features of Gion include the monuments and shopping. Make a stop by Yasaka Shrine or Kyoto Gion Lamp Museum while you're exploring the area.

Gion
Shoren-in Temple which includes a temple or place of worship and signage

Higashiyama Ward

4.5/5(29 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Kiyomizu Temple and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Higashiyama Ward. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Higashiyama Station or Sanjo Keihan Station.

Higashiyama Ward
Kyoto Tower showing a city, night scenes and city views

Shimogyo Ward

4.5/5(96 area reviews)

Shimogyo Ward is highly notable for its popular shops, and you might want to visit top sights like Kawaramachi Street and Kyoto Railway Museum. See more of Kyoto by jumping on the metro at Tanbaguchi Station or Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station.

Shimogyo Ward
Central Kyoto

Karasuma

Visitors to Karasuma love its popular shops, and you can check out Nishiki Market and Kawaramachi Street. If you want to see more in the area, you can get around town on the metro at Karasuma Oike Station.

Karasuma
Toji Temple featuring a park and a pond

Minami Ward

5/5(21 area reviews)

Consider a visit to Kawaramachi Street and take some time to enjoy the abundant dining options during your time in Minami Ward. If you want to see more of the city, jump on the metro at Nishioji Station or Jujo Station.

Minami Ward
Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
3 out of 5
396, Gojokarasuma, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥15,028 per night from Apr 17 to Apr 18
¥15,028
per night
Apr 17 - Apr 18
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (746 reviews)
"The staff and hotel services were extremely English friendly. It went along way in having an easy and relaxing stay"

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2024

Keio Prelia Hotel Kyoto Karasuma Gojo
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥24,461 per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
¥24,461
per night
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,265 reviews)
"Really nice and cozy hotel, because it was such a busy hotel I wish there was a bigger space where a family can really sit down and chill"

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2024

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
4 out of 5
140-2 Manjujicho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto
The price is ¥18,986 per night from Apr 15 to Apr 16
¥18,986
per night
Apr 15 - Apr 16
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (526 reviews)
"Super nice hotel. Check in service made us felt very catered to. Staff friendly and most spoke english. Very helpful with forwarding our luggage. Provided the cutest pjs!!"

Reviewed on Mar 17, 2024

THE BLOSSOM KYOTO
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
West Japan Kyoto Kiyomizu
West Japan Kyoto Kiyomizu
2 out of 5
133 Atarashicho Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a separate tub and shower. Popular attractions Kiyomizu Temple and Kawaramachi Street ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (63 reviews)
"Excellent housekeeping and very friendly and helpful staff"

Reviewed on Feb 1, 2024

West Japan Kyoto Kiyomizu
MONday Apart Premium KYOTO Station (Former:MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Shichijo Horikawa)
MONday Apart Premium KYOTO Station (Former:MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Shichijo Horikawa)
4 out of 5
1 Shichijoodori Higashihorikawa Nishiiru, Yaoyacho Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (154 reviews)
"It's a great stay Laundry inside the room is a great perk I wish it was just closer to the station But if you don't mind walking 10mins to Kyoto station it's perfect"

Reviewed on Mar 8, 2024

MONday Apart Premium KYOTO Station (Former:MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Shichijo Horikawa)
Mimaru Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo
Mimaru Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo
3 out of 5
Hiraicho, 17-1, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Kawaramachi Street and Nishiki Market ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (70 reviews)
"Perfect for our family of 7. We will stay here again"

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2024

Mimaru Kyoto Kawaramachi Gojo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

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Reviews of Kyoto

4.8
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
1580
" "5 - Excellent 78.41191066997519%
4 - Good
398
" "4 - Good 19.751861042183624%
3 - Okay
31
" "3 - Okay 1.5384615384615385%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 0.19851116625310175%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 0.09925558312655088%

5/5 - Excellent

Jennie
Jun 6, 2020

Love Kyoto!! Definitely recommend fir first time Japan travelers.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Apr 3, 2020

very easy to get around and visit all the sites in the area, trains and buses run regularly throughout the day, so you never have very long to wait for one to come along

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 26, 2020

Quiet at the time of visit. A beautiful place.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 20, 2020

I would love to live here.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 18, 2020

The city itself is great unfortunately didn't have enough time to explore the entire city. There are a TON of temples and shrines to visit in Kyoto, kind of off putting when most of the good ones are "Pay to enter," when others in the country are not

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 18, 2020

Kyoto was a lovely place to visit. There is so much to see here. The traditional neighborhoods and bamboo homes are scenic. The city is safe and pleasant.

Cities near Kyoto